Pedro wrapped up a 3-0 opening-day win after Eden Hazard came off the bench as Sarri’s men made a confident start to the campaign, looking far stronger compared to last weekend’s Community Shield loss to Manchester City.

“I’m very happy for the three points,” Sarri told Sky Sports. “For us, in this first part of the championship it’s not very easy to gain points. I think in this moment we are not at the top of our potential.

“The first half was hard. If you look at the result, you can think about an easy game, but in the first half we were in trouble for 15 minutes against a very physical team.

“We are not a physical team and I think the best of the game is the capacity of suffering for 15 minutes. Then I think in the second half the opponents were a bit tired and it was easier.”